Abstract: Compact optical circulator designs using polarization selective optical elements for versatile applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically splicing a pair of optic fibers or optic cables, the mechanical splice comprising: a ferrule having an axial capillary bore, the capillary bore configured to enclose the optic fibers at both ends of the ferrule; and cured epoxy disposed to secure together the ends of the optic fibers and to secure the optic fibers to an inside surface of the capillary bore, the ferrule optionally enclosed in a metal tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically splicing a pair of optic fibers or optic cables, the mechanical splice comprising: a ferrule having an axial capillary bore, the capillary bore configured to enclose the optic fibers at both ends of the ferrule; and cured epoxy disposed to secure together the ends of the optic fibers and to secure the optic fibers to an inside surface of the capillary bore, the ferrule optionally enclosed in a metal tube.

Abstract: An optical depolarizer includes a birefringent block, a reflector coupled to the block, a first input port for providing polarized light to the block and an output port configured to receive polarized light from the block. The depolarizer optionally includes a non-reciprocal combination-device having a principal direction and including a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The non-reciprocal rotating element can be a Faraday rotator. The birefringent block can be optically coupled to the non-reciprocal combinatoin device. The optical depolarizer can include a lens that is optically coupled to the first wedge. The optical depolarizer can include a capillary for holding at least a PM optical fiber and an output optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical isolator includes a non-reciprocal combination-device and a reflector. The non-reciprocal combination-device has a principal direction and includes a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The non-reciprocal rotating element can be a Faraday rotator. The reflector is positioned proximate to the second birefringent wedge, for reflecting light exiting from the non-reciprocal combination-device in the principal direction to reenter the non-reciprocal combination-device in a reverse principal direction. The optical isolator can include a lens that is optically coupled to the first wedge. The optical isolator can include a capillary for holding an input PM optical fiber and an output PM optical fiber. The optical isolator can also include a capillary for holding at least two input PM optical fibers and an output optical fiber.

Abstract: An integrated optical fiber amplifier system includes a non-reciprocal combination-device and an optical fiber amplifier. The non-reciprocal combination-device includes a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The optical fiber amplifier is optically coupled to the first birefringent wedge for receiving a combined pump light from the non-reciprocal combination-device.

Abstract: An optical depolarizer includes a birefringent block, a reflector coupled to the block, a first input port for providing polarized light to the block and an output port configured to receive polarized light from the block. The depolarizer optionally includes a non-reciprocal combination-devicehaving a principal direction and including a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The non-reciprocal rotating element can be a Faraday rotator. The birefringent block can be optically coupled to the non-reciprocal combinatoin device. The optical depolarizer can include a lens that is optically coupled to the first wedge. The optical depolarizer can include a capillary for holding at least a PM optical fiber and an output optical fiber.

Abstract: A tunable PM fiber combiner is configured to be accurately alignable with and operative to combine into a single composite beam a pair of non-collimated, orthogonally polarized light beams transported over polarization maintaining (PM) optical fibers, whose mutual spatial separation may vary. The combiner includes birefringent elements, that are linearly or rotationally displaced to realize the composite beam. The resulting composite light beam may then be readily coupled (e.g. via a single mode fiber) to a downstream beam processing device, such as a Raman amplifier.

Abstract: An optical depolarizer includes a non-reciprocal combination-device, a birefringent block, and a reflector. The non-reciprocal combination-device has a principal direction and includes a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The non-reciprocal rotating element can be a Faraday rotator. The birefringent block is optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge. The reflector is optically coupled to the birefringent block. The optical depolarizer can include a lens that is optically coupled to the first wedge. The optical depolarizer can include a capillary for holding at least a PM optical fiber and an output optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical depolarizer includes a non-reciprocal combination-device, a birefringent block, and a reflector. The non-reciprocal combination-device has a principal direction and includes a first birefringent wedge, a second birefringent wedge, and a non-reciprocal rotating element. The non-reciprocal rotating element can be a Faraday rotator. The birefringent block is optically coupled to the second birefringent wedge. The reflector is optically coupled to the birefringent block. The optical depolarizer can include a lens that is optically coupled to the first wedge. The optical depolarizer can include a capillary for holding at least a PM optical fiber and an output optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical device includes a walk-off plate, a lens, a half wave plate, a reflective device, and a non-reciprocal device. The walk-off plate is adapted for coupling to a first port and a second port. The half wave plate is positioned between the walk-off plate and the lens. The half wave plate is also configured to change the polarization of the light received from the first port by a first angle. The non-reciprocal device is positioned between the lens and the reflective device, and the non-reciprocal device is also configured to rotate light passing therethrough by a second angle.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical isolator including a light collector for redirecting and/or absorbing backward propagating radiation. In the preferred embodiment, the light collector includes at least one of a light absorbing material and a light redirector that does not interfere with forward propagating radiation, but collects the unwanted backward propagating light. Accordingly, the light collecting means are suitable for high power applications for protecting the input optics, including epoxy used to secure the input optical fiber, from unwanted reflected light. Some examples of appropriate light collecting means include neutral density filters, polarizers, mirrors, and right angle prisms.

Abstract: A tunable PM fiber combiner is configured to be accurately alignable with and operative to combine into a single composite beam a pair of non-collimated, orthogonally polarized light beams transported over polarization maintaining (PM) optical fibers, whose mutual spatial separation may vary. The combiner includes birefringent elements, that are linearly or rotationally displaced to realize the composite beam. The resulting composite light beam may then be readily coupled (e.g. via a single mode fiber) to a downstream beam processing device, such as a Raman amplifier.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical isolator including a light collector for redirecting and/or absorbing backward propagating radiation. In the preferred embodiment, the light collector includes at least one of a light absorbing material and a light redirector that does not interfere with forward propagating radiation, but collects the unwanted backward propagating light. Accordingly, the light collecting means are suitable for high power applications for protecting the input optics, including epoxy used to secure the input optical fibre, from unwanted reflected light. Some examples of appropriate light collecting means include neutral density filters, polarizers, mirrors, and right angle prisms.

Abstract: Conventional retroreflection mirrors in the form of right angle prisms are quite sensitive to beam position and beam angle errors. Manufacturing and assembly tolerances are also a cause of concern in conventional devices. Accordingly, the present invention solves these aforementioned problems by providing a retroreflection device comprising: a beam director, preferably in the form of a Wollaston prism; a polarization rotator, preferably in the form of a quarter wave plate; and a flat reflective surface, such as a plane mirror. The device of the present invention is far less sensitive to beam angle alignment and is completely independent of the beam position. The present invention is particularly useful as a beam splitter for directing orthogonally polarized beams of light back along parallel paths in an interleaver apparatus.

Abstract: Conventional retroreflection mirrors in the form of right angle prisms are quite sensitive to beam position and beam angle errors. Manufacturing and assembly tolerances are also a cause of concern in conventional devices. Accordingly, the present invention solves these aforementioned problems by providing a retroreflection device comprising: a beam director, preferably in the form of a Wollaston prism; a polarization rotator, preferably in the form of a quarter wave plate; and a flat reflective surface, such as a plane mirror. The device of the present invention is far less sensitive to beam angle alignment and is completely independent of the beam position. The present invention is particularly useful as a beam splitter for directing orthogonally polarized beams of light back along parallel paths in an interleaver apparatus.

Abstract: An optical terminal using a capillary with a central opening or a bore of a selected cross section and having an insertion opening and a coupling opening. The optical terminal has a light-guiding element, e.g., a lens, positioned in front of the coupling opening. Optical fibers having adjusted cross sections along a fitting length are inserted into the bore such that they are wedged inside it, their tips are positioned at the coupling opening and their cores are offset by a specific distance or offset from the optical axis of the light guiding element. A number of fibers including optical and reinforcement fibers can be wedged in the bore in this manner to ensure a specific offset between the cores of the optical fibers and the optical axis. Precise control of the offset between the cores and the optical axis permits one to accurately control an output angle of light beams issuing from the optical fibers and exiting the optical terminal through the light guiding element.